t they can be climbed. Then they will find themselves in the
morass among thick reeds. But they must not fire these till they
have worked round to the place of the sunrise, whence the wind blows
strongly. Then they must go from spot to spot and bend down the driest
of the reeds, setting fire to them. Afterwards they can get to the back
of the fire and wait till all is done one way or the other. If we win
they will find us, if we are killed they can try to run away. But will
the men go?"

Soa stepped forward and chose four of their number, but Peter she did
not choose, for he also knew something of the working of cannon.

"Listen," she said, "you have heard the words of this Black One. Now,
obey. And if you depart from them by one jot, may----" and she poured
out so fearful a curse upon them that Leonard stared at her astonished.

"Ay!" added Otter, "and if I live through this I will cut your throats."

"No need to threaten," said one of the men; "we will do our best for
our own sakes, as well as for yours and that of the Shepherdess. We
understand the plan, but to light reeds we must have fire."

"Here are matches," said Otter.

"Wet matches will not light, and we must swim," answered the spokesman.

"Fool, do you then swim with your head under water? Tie them in your
hair."

"Ah! he is clever," said the spokesman. "Now, if we live to reach them,
when shall we fire the reeds?"

"As soon as you are ready," answered Otter. "You will not come easily to
the back of them. Farewell, my children, and if you dare to fail, pray
that you may die rather than look upon my face again."

"_Ou!_ We have seen it once, is that not enough?" answered the
spokesman, looking at Otter's huge nose with wonder not untouched by
fear.

Two minutes later the four men were swimming swiftly down the dike,
taking their chance of the alligators.

"Drop the bridge," said Leonard; "we must start."

Otter lowered it, at the same time explaining its mechanism, which was
very simple, to Soa, Peter, and some of the other Settlement men.

"Now, mother, good-bye," said Leonard. "Loose all the men you can,
and keep a keen look-out, so as to be ready to lower the bridge if you
should see us or your mistress coming towards it. If we should not
come by dawn, be ready also, for then we shall probably be dead, or
prisoners, and you must act for yourself."

"I hear you, Lord," answered Soa, "and I say that you are a brave man.
Whether you win or l